The fins were initially intended to be glued directly onto the body tube. To ensure that the fins were securely attached to the body tube, tabs were added to the design of the fins and slits were cut into the body tube for the tabs to be inserted.
In the event that we wished to replace the parachute with a more effective design due to varying wind conditions, the parachute apparatus was designed to be detachable by means of a snap swivel.
During the first trial the nosecone, which was not properly secured to the cup hook holding the elastic, detached during flight and was not found afterwards. Therefore, a new nosecone was made by gluing four 12cmX12cm foam sheets together and shaping the block into a nosecone using a utility knife. The final structure was then covered with masking tape to smooth the surface of the nosecone and reduce air resistance, and was securely attached to the cup hook.
Launch Day
Launch 1: Ready For Takeoff
Engine Ignites
Blast Off!
It's Outta There!
The launching of the rocket was conducted during period two and lunch on November 10. On the launch date, talcum powder was spread on both sides of the parachute to ease the opening
of the parachute during descent. An igniter was also attached to the engine as illustrated in the diagram.
For the first test, a B6-4 engine was used. The rocket successfully took off but midway through the flight, when the rocket was descending, the parachute did not deploy causing the rocket to gain speed and land head down into the snow. The nosecone, which unattached from the hook, was not recovered.
For the second test, a C6-4 engine was used. The rocket successfully took off and the recovery system deployed. The rocket safety landed and nothing was broken.
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Modifications
Launch Day
of the parachute during descent. An igniter was also attached to the engine as illustrated in the diagram.
For the first test, a B6-4 engine was used. The rocket successfully took off but midway through the flight, when the rocket was descending, the parachute did not deploy causing the rocket to gain speed and land head down into the snow. The nosecone, which unattached from the hook, was not recovered.
For the second test, a C6-4 engine was used. The rocket successfully took off and the recovery system deployed. The rocket safety landed and nothing was broken.
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